Wire Organizer for Untangling and Arranging Strands of Wires and Cables

ABSTRACT

A wire organizer for untangling and arranging strands of wires and cables ensures wires being pulled out of a wire spool are correctly labeled. The wire organizer includes an elongated body, a plurality of conduits, and a plurality of modifiable labels. The plurality of conduits separates and organizes wires in a manner which allows the wires to travel freely through the elongated body. The plurality of modifiable labels identifies the insulating material, conductor material, and/or external dimensions of wires traveling through the plurality of conduits. The plurality of conduits is drilled transversely through the longitudinal side of the elongated body. Each of the plurality of modifiable labels is positioned directly over a corresponding one of the plurality of conduits, thereby helping the user correctly identify the wires.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 62/433,303 filed on Dec. 13, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a wire organizer foruntangling and arranging strands of wires and cables. More specifically,the present invention comprises a plurality of conduits for separatingthe strands of wires and a plurality of modifiable labels foridentifying each strand of wire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a wire organizer for separating, organizing,and identifying strands of wires pulled out of a wire spool. Strands ofwires are unwound from wire spools and transported to remote locationwhere they can be used. Once a sufficient length of strand is pulled,the strand is labeled and cut. The label may identify variouscharacteristics of the strand such as the type of insulating material,the type of conductor, or specific dimensions of the wire. The strand ofwire is usually labeled with a stick-on tag with a code that identifiesthe characteristics of the wire. However, the wire spool is usuallylocated at a remote location and the user cannot visually inspect thewire spool before cutting the wire. This leads to the wires beingmislabeled and incorrectly utilized. Given, the hectic work environmentthe mistake may be caught only after the damage has been already beendone.

Conventional wire organizers are called wire combs. Wire combs usuallycomprise a plurality of grooves positioned next to each other. Each ofthe plurality of grooves holds a single strand of wire. The wires arepositioned in a manner which causes the wires to rub against the innerwalls of the plurality of grooves. This can damage the insulatingcoating of the wire when the wire is pulled through the wire comb. Thus,conventional wire combs cannot be used to pull the wires through thewire comb. Additionally, conventional wire combs lack built-inmodifiable labels for identifying each strand of wire engaged to thewire comb.

The present invention aims to remedy the limitations of conventionalwire combs. The present invention organizes and separates wires beingpulled from a wire comb. The wires are suspended within a plurality ofconduits, which allows the wires to freely travel through the presentinvention. Each conduit is identified by one of a plurality ofmodifiable labels. Once the wires are pulled to the desired lengths, theuser can check a corresponding modifiable label to ensure that the wireis correctly labeled prior to cutting wire, thereby reducing the chanceof the wires being mislabeled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention showing theposition of the base surface on the elongated body.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of circle 3 in FIG. 2 showing the positioning ofthe plurality of conduits within the elongated body.

FIG. 4A is a detail view of circle 4 in FIG. 1 showing the plurality ofbutton-actuated thumbwheels of each of the plurality of modifiablelabels.

FIG. 4B is a detail view of circle 4 in FIG. 1 showing the wheel bodyand the rotation axis of each of the plurality of button-actuatedthumbwheels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a wire organizer for untangling and arrangingstrands of wires and cables. The wire organizer helps a user to identifyand label wires being unfurled from a remotely positioned wire spool.FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the present inventioncomprising an elongated body 1, a plurality of conduits 2, a pluralityof modifiable labels 3. Wires travel from the wire spool through theelongated body 1 to their respective destinations. Each wire ispositioned inside one of the plurality of conduits 2 that corresponds toone of the plurality of modifiable labels 3. The plurality of modifiablelabels 3 helps the user to identify the wires traveling through theplurality of conduits 2. Once a sufficient length of a wire is extractedfrom the wire spool, the user labels the wire and cuts it. Beforelabeling the wire, the user can check a corresponding modifiable labelfrom the plurality of modifiable labels 3 to the wire to ensure the wireis correctly labeled. As such, the present invention prevents wiresbeing mislabeled.

The elongated body 1 comprises a base surface 4 and a labeling surface5. FIG. 2 shows the base surface 4 of the elongated body 1. Theelongated body 1 is positioned level on a flat surface to ensure thewires don't rub or press against the plurality of conduits 2. Morespecifically, the elongated body 1 is positioned on the flat surfacewith the base surface 4 positioned coincident to the flat surface. Padsor panels made of high friction materials such as rubber may be placedon the base surface 4 to prevent the elongated body 1 from slipping onthe flat surface. This prevents the elongated body 1 from slipping onthe flat surface. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention,the wires traverse through the width of the elongated body 1. As such,the base surface 4 and the labeling surface 5 are positioned along theelongated body 1. Further, the base surface 4 and the labeling surface 5are positioned opposite to each other about the elongated body 1. Thispositions the labeling surface 5 facing upwards from the flat surface,in clear view of the user.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the plurality of conduits 2 laterallytraverses through the elongated body 1. More specifically, the pluralityof conduits 2 is drilled through the sides positioned along the lengthof the elongated body 1. The plurality of conduits 2 is evenlydistributed along the elongated body 1. Further, the plurality ofconduits 2 is parallel to each other. The wire spool outputs parallelstrands of wires that must each be labeled with an appropriate label.Therefore, the plurality of conduits 2 must be parallel to each other toprevent the parallel strands from rubbing against the sidewalls of theplurality of conduits 2. The plurality of conduits 2 must be positionedat an appropriate height to ensure that the strands of wires don't rubagainst the inner walls of the plurality of conduits 2. Since theplurality of conduits 2 is positioned in between the base surface 4 andthe labeling surface 5, this also determines the height of the elongatedbody 1. Alternately, risers may be added to the base surface 4 of theelongated body 1 to raise the plurality of conduits 2 up to theappropriate height. The plurality of modifiable labels 3 is mounted ontothe labeling surface 5. Each modifiable label 3 identifies the type ofinsulating material applied to the strand of wire traveling through thecorresponding conduit. More specifically, each modifiable label 3displays a three-digit numeric code which identifies the insulatingmaterial. To correctly help the user identify a strand of wire inside aconduit, each of the plurality of modifiable labels 3 are aligned alonga corresponding conduit from the plurality of conduits 2. As such,before cutting a wire, the user can check the modifiable label directlyover the corresponding conduit and tag the wire with the appropriatecode.

Referring now to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, each of the plurality of modifiable labels 3comprises a plurality of button-actuated thumbwheels 31. The use of theplurality of button-actuated thumbwheels 31 prevents the user frominadvertently changing a numeric code on a modifiable table. Theplurality of button-actuated thumbwheels 31 is also resistant to impactsand forces involved in sudden movements. The plurality ofbutton-actuated thumbwheels 31 is rotatably integrated into theelongated body 1. In particular, the plurality of button-actuatedthumbwheels 31 is integrated onto the labeling surface 5 of theelongated body 1. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention,the plurality of button-actuated thumbwheels 31 is three thumbwheels. Assuch, this allows the plurality of modifiable labels 3 to display thethree-digit numeric codes for identifying the insulating materials ofthe wires. Alternately, the three-digit numeric code may also be used toidentify the conductor materials of the wires. For example, theplurality of modifiable labels may be used to identify conductors suchas copper, aluminum, silver, or similar metallic materials. Preferably,a rotation axis 34 of the plurality of button-actuated thumbwheels 31for each of the plurality of modifiable labels 3 is oriented parallel tothe corresponding conduit. As a result, the each of the plurality ofmodifiable labels 3 is read from left to right along the width of theelongated body 1.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 5, each of the plurality ofbutton-actuated thumbwheels 31 comprises a wheel body 32 and a pluralityof number labels 33. The wheel body 32 is mounted onto the rotation axis34 and controlled by the at least two buttons. As such, the numbers mustbe read from left to right along the width of the elongated body 1. Theplurality of number labels 33 is laterally distributed around the wheelbody 32. In the preferred embodiment, the wheel body 32 is ten-sidedpolygon. Each side of the wheel body 32 displays one of the plurality ofnumber labels 33. Thus, the wheel body 32 is capable of selectivelydisplaying the digits 0-9. Thus, each of the plurality ofbutton-actuated thumbwheels 31 can display any number between 1-999.Further, the plurality of number labels 33 is inscribed onto the wheelbody 32. Alternately, the plurality of number labels 33 may be paintedor adhered to each side of the wheel body 32. In the preferredembodiment, each of the plurality of button-actuated thumbwheels 31 iscontrolled by at least two buttons. More specifically, the at least twobuttons control the rotation of the plurality of button-actuatedthumbwheels 31. Preferably there is an increment button and a decrementbutton. The increment button causes the wheel body 32 to rotate in amanner which increases the digit being displayed. Likewise, thedecrement button causes the wheel body 32 to rotate in a manner whichdecreases the digit being displayed.

Alternately, the plurality of modifiable labels 3 may comprise aplurality of manually-actuated thumbwheels. The plurality ofmanually-actuated thumbwheels may comprise 3 circular wheels. The rim ofeach circular wheel is engraved with digits from 0 to 9. Together, theplurality of manually-actuated thumbwheels can display a number between1 and 999. A locking mechanism may lock the rotation of the plurality ofcircular wheel, thereby allowing the plurality of modifiable labels 3 todisplay a specific number. Alternately, each circular wheel may displaya number, letter, and/or symbol.

Referring back to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of theelongated body 1 is shaped into a rectangular prism. The base surface 4and the labeling surface 5 define the top and bottom of the rectangularprism. Thus, the wires are positioned next to each other allowing theuser to easily inspect the plurality of modifiable labels 3. Inalternate embodiments of the present invention, the elongated body 1 maybe any shape or size suited to position the wires side by side. Further,in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the plurality ofconduits 2 is less than 20 conduits. Thus, no more than 20 wires may beorganized at the same time. However, alternate embodiments of thepresent invention may be designed with more than 20 conduits. A diameterof each of the plurality of conduits 2 is 0.25 inches. As such, theplurality of conduits 2 can securely fit wires having wire gauges of 6,10, 12, 14. The wire gauge determines the overall diameter of the wire.Generally, the wire gauge is a standardized dimension used in variousindustries.

Finally, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, theelongated body 1 is made of plastic. More specifically, the elongatedbody 1 is a block of plastic shaped into a rectangular prism. Theplurality of conduits 2 is transversely drilled through the lateral sideof the plastic block. Plastic has a low coefficient of friction whenpressing against the insulating materials used to coat wires. Materialsthat generate high friction when pressing against the insulatingmaterials can cause the wires to get caught inside the plurality ofconduits 2. Low friction allows the wires to move within the pluralityof wires even when they are rubbing against the inner walls of theplurality of conduits 2. Generally, the elongated body 1 can be made ofany material with a low coefficient of friction when pressing againstthe insulating materials. However, steel generates very high frictionagainst the insulating material, therefore the elongated body 1 cannotbe made of steel.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wire organizer for untangling and arrangingstrands of wires and cables comprises: an elongated body; a plurality ofconduits; a plurality of modifiable labels; the elongated body comprisesa base surface and a labeling surface; the base surface and the labelingsurface being positioned along the elongated body; the base surface andthe labeling surface being positioned opposite to each other about theelongated body; the plurality of conduits laterally traversing throughthe elongated body; the plurality of conduits being evenly distributedalong the elongated body; the plurality of conduits being positionedparallel to each other; the plurality of conduits being positioned inbetween the base surface and the labeling surface; the plurality ofmodifiable labels being mounted onto the labeling surface; and each ofthe plurality of modifiable labels being aligned along a correspondingconduit from the plurality of conduits.
 2. The wire organizer foruntangling and arranging strands of wires and cables as claimed in claim1 comprises: each of the plurality of modifiable labels comprises aplurality of button-actuated thumbwheels; and the plurality ofbutton-actuated thumbwheels being rotatably integrated into theelongated body.
 3. The wire organizer for untangling and arrangingstrands of wires and cables as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pluralityof button-actuated thumbwheels is three thumbwheels.
 4. The wireorganizer for untangling and arranging strands of wires and cables asclaimed in claim 2, wherein a rotation axis for each of the plurality ofbutton-actuated thumbwheels for each of the plurality of modifiablelabels being oriented parallel to the corresponding conduit.
 5. The wireorganizer for untangling and arranging strands of wires and cables asclaimed in claim 2 comprises: each of the plurality of button-actuatedthumbwheels comprises a wheel body and a plurality of number labels; theplurality of number labels being laterally distributed around the wheelbody; and the plurality of number labels being inscribed onto the wheelbody.
 6. The wire organizer for untangling and arranging strands ofwires and cables as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated body isshaped into a rectangular prism.
 7. The wire organizer for untanglingand arranging strands of wires and cables as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe plurality of conduits is less than 20 conduits.
 8. The wireorganizer for untangling and arranging strands of wires and cables asclaimed in claim 1, wherein a diameter for each of the plurality ofconduits is 0.25 inches.
 9. The wire organizer for untangling andarranging strands of wires and cables as claimed in claim 1, wherein theelongated body is made of plastic.
 10. A wire organizer for untanglingand arranging strands of wires and cables comprises: an elongated body;a plurality of conduits; a plurality of modifiable labels; the elongatedbody comprises a base surface and a labeling surface; the base surfaceand the labeling surface being positioned along the elongated body; thebase surface and the labeling surface being positioned opposite to eachother about the elongated body; each of the plurality of modifiablelabels comprises a plurality of button-actuated thumbwheels; theplurality of conduits laterally traversing through the elongated body;the plurality of conduits being evenly distributed along the elongatedbody; the plurality of conduits being positioned parallel to each other;the plurality of conduits being positioned in between the base surfaceand the labeling surface; the plurality of modifiable labels beingmounted onto the labeling surface; each of the plurality of modifiablelabels being aligned along a corresponding conduit from the plurality ofconduits; and the plurality of button-actuated thumbwheels beingrotatably integrated into the elongated body.
 11. The wire organizer foruntangling and arranging strands of wires and cables as claimed in claim11, wherein the plurality of button-actuated thumbwheels is threethumbwheels, and wherein a rotation axis for each of the plurality ofbutton-actuated thumbwheels for each of the plurality of modifiablelabels is oriented parallel to the corresponding conduit.
 12. The wireorganizer for untangling and arranging strands of wires and cables asclaimed in claim 11 comprises: each of the plurality of button-actuatedthumbwheels comprises a wheel body and a plurality of number labels; theplurality of number labels being laterally distributed around the wheelbody; and the plurality of number labels being inscribed onto the wheelbody.
 13. The wire organizer for untangling and arranging strands ofwires and cables as claimed in claim 11, wherein the elongated body isshaped into a rectangular prism.
 14. The wire organizer for untanglingand arranging strands of wires and cables as claimed in claim 11,wherein the plurality of conduits is less than 20 conduits.
 15. The wireorganizer for untangling and arranging strands of wires and cables asclaimed in claim 11, wherein a diameter for each of the plurality ofconduits is 0.25 inches.
 16. The wire organizer for untangling andarranging strands of wires and cables as claimed in claim 11, whereinthe elongated body is made of plastic.